Built to Eric Clapton's own specs, this is the Custom Shop version of his signature Strat: a select alder body, a soft "V" maple neck and three Vintage Noiseless single-coils, with his signature on the headstock.
The electronics go past a stock Strat. The second knob is a TBX tone control and the third is an active mid boost of up to 25dB, so you can push the front end of an amp from the guitar and still keep the pickups quiet. The tremolo is blocked, which keeps tuning steady and the bridge fixed for heavy bending. The maple board has a 9.5" radius and 22 vintage-style frets, and the neck has a satin urethane finish that stays smooth under a moving hand.
Three finishes are offered: Mercedes Blue, Midnight Blue and Black, all with a maple board. For the same electronics on a two-piece ash body with nitro lacquer and played-in wear, look at the Eric Clapton Signature Stratocaster Journeyman Relic.
The photos show one example. Wood grain and aging vary from guitar to guitar, so the one built for you will differ in the details.
SPECIFICATIONS
BODY
Country of Origin: USA
Body Material: Select Alder
Body Finish: Urethane
Body Shape: Stratocaster
Pickguard: 1-Ply White
Aging: NOS
NECK
Neck Material: Maple
Neck Finish: Satin Urethane
Neck Shape: Soft "V"
Fingerboard Radius: 9.5" (241 mm)
Fingerboard Material: Maple
Position Inlays: Black Dot
Number of Frets: 22
Fret Size: Vintage-Style
Nut Material: Synthetic Bone
Nut Width: 1.650" (42 mm)
Scale Length: 25.5" (648 mm)
ELECTRONICS
Bridge Pickup: Vintage Noiseless Single-Coil Strat
Middle Pickup: Vintage Noiseless Single-Coil Strat
Neck Pickup: Vintage Noiseless Single-Coil Strat
Pickup Configuration: SSS
Controls: Master Volume, Tone 1. Master TBX Tone Control, Tone 2. Master Active Mid Boost (0-25dB). Mid boost kit
Switching: 5-Position Blade: Position 1. Bridge Pickup, Position 2. Bridge and Middle Pickup, Position 3. Middle Pickup, Position 4. Middle and Neck Pickup, Position 5. Neck Pickup
Special Electronics: TBX Tone Circuit
HARDWARE
Bridge: Blocked American Vintage Synchronized Tremolo
Hardware Finish: Nickel/Chrome
Tuning Machines: Vintage-Style
Tremolo Arm: Vintage-Style Tremolo Arm
Control Knobs: White Plastic
Strings: Fender USA 250R Nickel Plated Steel (.010-.046 Gauges), PN 0730250406
CASE
Case: Vintage-Style Tweed (Orange Interior)